On World Day Against Human Trafficking, FBI Philadelphia Says Exploitation Occurs in Our Backyards

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office is raising awareness about human trafficking, the several forms it takes, and resources for victims on the occasion of World Day Against Human Trafficking.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness about human trafficking and to promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims.

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Human trafficking is defined as "the illegal exploitation of a person", in which traffickers use violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to exploit victims. The FBI investigations several types of human trafficking, including sex trafficking, in which individuals, including minors, are compelled by force, fraud or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts; labor trafficking, in which individuals are compelled by force, threats or fraud to perform labor or service; and domestic servitude, in which individuals within a household appear to be nannies, housekeepers or other types of domestic workers, but in reality are being controlled and exploited.

While many think of cities being the center of human trafficking, the FBI says that isn't the case, as the exploitation is not limited to one particular geographic area or part of the country and can occur in any community, including cities, suburbs and rural areas.

“With the diverse region our office covers, from rural communities to major cities, we have seen that human trafficking can occur anywhere,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office. “World Day Against Trafficking of Persons reaffirms our commitment to working alongside partners to combat human trafficking, raising awareness to prevent future victimization, and providing victims the resources they need.”

Because of its location among major New Jersey highways as well as the amount of motels in the municipality, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy called Mount Laurel "the bridge to human trafficking" earlier this year at her annual Red Sand Project event at Laurel Acres Park, which seeks to bring awareness to the issue to the community. "Our hotels are sitting on arteries that will take you where you want to go in the United States, whether it be the Turnpike, (Interstate) 295 or Route 38," said Murphy.

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The Mount Laurel Police Department (MLPD) has made combating human trafficking a priority. Last year, the MLPD was chosen by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of only six law enforcement agencies in the country to study and combat the issue by helping to develop a human trafficking toolkit aimed at enhancing the ability of state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify and assist victims of all forms of human trafficking, and to conduct investigations using trauma-informed, survivor-centered principles.

And in January, Detective Joshua Treusch was given the prestigious Sergeant Noelle Holl Award by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office at the 14th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Event, held annually to educate the public about the dangers of human trafficking and recognize statewide efforts to combat this form of modern-day slavery. The award is given annually to recognize a New Jersey law enforcement officer for going above and beyond in helping victims of human trafficking by aggressively pursuing traffickers through investigation and prosecution, and raising awareness in local communities.

On World Day Against Human Trafficking, the FBI says that victim recovery is the primary goal of trafficking investigations, and that the Agency employs a multi-disciplinary team of Special Agents, Analysts, Victim Specialists and Child Adolescent Forensic Interviewers who work together to ensure a victim-centered and trauma-informed response. FBI Victim Specialists work with local state and federal resources to provide immediate assistance and long-term support. After recovering a victim of human trafficking, field offices seek to arrest and successfully prosecute the traffickers.

Human trafficking victims or individuals who have information about a potential trafficking situation are urged by the FBI to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips can also be submitted online at the NHTRC's website at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ .

Those who believe that a child is involved in a trafficking situation are urged to submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information that is provided to the CyberTipline.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office can be reached at (215) 418-4000.

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